New Jersey Health and Senior Services Commissioner Fred M. Jacobs, M.D., J.D., is calling upon state residents to donate blood at their local blood centers or their community blood drives.

“During times of heightened alert, people are always looking for ways to help,”said Dr. Jacobs. “One of the best ways to help is to donate blood. Due to vacations and other obligations, less blood is donated in the summer than during other times of the year. This year is no different.”

This summer’s blood supply is dangerously low both in New Jersey and across the country. New Jersey annually imports about 61,000 pints of blood from other states to ensure there is enough to perform a wide range of routine and emergency medical procedures. However, this nationwide shortage has eliminated this source of blood for New Jersey. An adequate blood supply is a significant part of our overall preparedness efforts to respond to emergencies.

A list of blood centers in New Jersey is located at the DHSS website (www.nj.gov/health) by clicking the “Give Blood” icon. Blood centers can be contacted to obtain a list of blood drives in local communities.

Commissioner Jacobs also urged New Jersey residents to remain prepared for any public health emergency.

“We have no specific information that New Jersey is at an increased threat, however it is still important that all our residents should remain prepared,” said Commissioner Jacobs. “Families should have emergency plans in place which include important phone numbers and information resources they can rely on during an emergency.”

The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services has produced an emergency preparedness guide called “Ready Together New Jersey.” The guide is available online at www.nj.gov/health or at local health departments. The guide provides specific information on how families can prepare for an emergency, suggestions on voluntary assistance such a routinely donating blood and includes a wide range of resources.